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05-23-2008, 03:40 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southeast of the Northwest Territories
888 posts, read 890,636 times
Reputation: 188
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you know what Roanoke needs?
A REAL, WELL-STOCKED OUTDOOR OUTFITTER!!
Not someplace that carries a few token Patagonia shirts, but a real place with a big selection. I want to pick up a pair of hiking shoes and do NOT want to have to drive up to Blue Ridge Mtn Sports in Charlottesville for a pair of properly fitted shoes!
That's it...end of rant.  |
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05-23-2008, 06:48 PM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Virginia
170 posts, read 230,077 times
Reputation: 58
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Gander Mountain just opened right off Plantation road and I-81 Hollins exit 146
Last edited by Cdshiflett; 05-23-2008 at 06:52 PM..
Reason: to give exit #
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05-23-2008, 07:04 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southeast of the Northwest Territories
888 posts, read 890,636 times
Reputation: 188
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do they carry a large selection of name brand hiking boots and shoes? from what i saw online, it looked more geared towards hunting and such
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05-23-2008, 07:41 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Roanoke VA
930 posts, read 849,916 times
Reputation: 183
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Check Gander Mtn out. They do have a large selection of hiking boots. The prices seemed good and they have a lot of gear not seen before around here.
I'm going back when I have more time.
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05-23-2008, 07:51 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southeast of the Northwest Territories
888 posts, read 890,636 times
Reputation: 188
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I'm going to check it out.
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05-23-2008, 08:41 PM
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Mad Scientist
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Boones Mill, VA
1,332 posts, read 1,739,218 times
Reputation: 387
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With all due respect to local outfitters, I'd really recommend Zappos.com. Zappos.com has a selection to boggle the mind and they even have an outdoor site:
Men's Shoes: Hiking - Free Shipping Both Ways & 365-Day Return Policy - Outdoor.Zappos.com
I've ordered several pairs of shoes/boots from them over the years. I just ordered these:
Keen Newport H2 (Black) - Sandals - Outdoor.Zappos.com
I wanted a pair of "work" sandals that don't turn useless/dangerous when they get grimy and wet. You might be thinking that ordering shoes online is a drag, but Zappos has awesome customer service. First of all, I ordered at 3pm on Monday and got the boots 2pm the next day (their shipping center is in KY). Next, if you don't like the fit, you go online, re-order, and they ship you the right size overnight - for free! You might even get the replacement pair before you have a chance to ship the new ones back.
Anyway, just a suggestion. I know I just sounded like a Zappos commercial, but it's da truth 
Sean
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05-23-2008, 10:17 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southeast of the Northwest Territories
888 posts, read 890,636 times
Reputation: 188
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Yeah, I've been scoping out Zappos to see the (vast) selection of hiking shoes out there, read the reviews (helpful), etc. I figure if I can try some stuff on locally to check fit and feel, I may order from zappos. I know thats kinda cheating, but...
I'm torn between supporting the local guy and not getting gouged by the local guy!
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05-24-2008, 04:53 AM
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Mad Scientist
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Boones Mill, VA
1,332 posts, read 1,739,218 times
Reputation: 387
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As far as local goes, besides Gander, isn't there an outfitter in Salem? When we were looking to pull the trigger on a canoe my wife stopped by there and was impressed by the staff and mentioned they sold boots. I think it was this place:
Wilderness
I always try to shop locally but with shoes its really frustrating because there is always a limited selection. If I find something (rare) I like they often don't have it in the right size, etc. The Zappos reviews are really helpful for those leaps of faith, the first couple of sandal choices I made I switched due to user reviews. I was looking at the hiking boot reviews and there were some real technical people giving real technical reviews, which is great.
Sean |
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05-24-2008, 06:49 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southeast of the Northwest Territories
888 posts, read 890,636 times
Reputation: 188
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yeah...that's Backcountry Ski & Sport. I've been in there a few times. They say they carry boots/shoes...I don't remember a whole lot of them? They seem to be a canoe/kayak/ski/snowboard specialty more than other stuff. I'm going to stop in there too though.
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05-24-2008, 03:02 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southeast of the Northwest Territories
888 posts, read 890,636 times
Reputation: 188
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ok, here is my review of all three "outfitters" in the Roanoke area:
Walkabout Outfitter (downtown in the middle of the market area)...
Nice folks...took the time to help me, measure my foot, etc; surprisingly good selection of packs; good selection of attire; lots of pet packs, bowls, leashes, etc. Small selection of hiking shoes and sandals.
Overall, pretty nicely rounded out for a small "boutique-ey" sort of store.
Back Country Ski & Sport on Apperson Rd in Salem...
lots of canoe/kayak stuff, lots of ski/snowboard stuff, good selection of attire, very small selection of hiking boots/shoes
Gander Mtn...
Imagine Walmart, complete with greeter (except in camoflage), but loaded with guns, archery stuff, kayaks; tons of The North Face, Life Is Good, and of course Gander Mtn attire, camping stuff, sleeping bags, etc.
and a tiny, tiny selection of hiking boots and shoes. Seriously...each of the other two stores had approximately the same selection as this GIGANTIC outdoor store. If I were to draw a conclusion about the area from Gander Mtn, I'd have to say that folks here much prefer to kill things in the mountains than to hike in them.
So...I'll be ordering online as Roanoke does NOT currently have a good outfitter.
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